Webs of cushioned closable bags

ABSTRACT

A web of preformed bags includes a sheet material and a cushioning material. The sheet material includes two sheets that are arranged to form a series of bags. The sheets are connected together to form sides of each of the bags. Each of the bags is bounded by an opening and the sides where sheets are connected together. The cushioning material is coupled to inner surfaces of the sheets in each of the bags. The web further includes a line of weakness in at least one of the sheets between each of the bags. After an object is loaded in one of the bags, the opening of the one of the bags is configured to be sealed closed with the object therein such that the cushioning material in the one of the bags is arranged to cushion the object when the one of the bags is sealed closed.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is in the technical field of webs of closable bags. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to webs of preformed cushioned bags that are formed to enable rapid formation of cushioned mailers.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,254,828 (“the '828 patent”), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, is directed to a web of bags on a roll. The '828 patent discloses a web of bags interconnected by lines of weakness, preferably in the form of perforations, with each of the bags being open on one face. In use, the bags are sequentially fed to a loading station. When at the loading station, each bag is blown open, a product is inserted and thereafter separated from the web and, if desired, the bag is then sealed to form a package. These container strips in the form of chains of pre-opened bags are supplied either on a roll as taught in the '828 patent or festooned in a carton in the manner taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,029, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such webs have been sold by Automated Packaging Systems of Streetsboro, Ohio, under the trademark AUTOBAG.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,070 (the '070 Patent), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, is directed to a web of bags having longitudinal openings along the web. The '070 patent also describes machines for forming packages from the web and processes of making the packages. In one example, the web is fed first through a slitter which splits a top portion into two lips (or flaps) that are respectively grasped between pairs of belts for transport through a load section. Examples of such belts that transport the web through the load section are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,218, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. As the web is fed the flaps are spread to effect the sequential opening of the side connected bags for receiving a product to be packaged. The flaps are then returned to juxtaposed relationship and trimmed as the flaps are grasped by belts in a sealer section. Examples of belts in a sealer section are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,238, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Such webs and machines have been sold by Automated Packaging Systems of Streetsboro, Ohio, under the trademark SIDEPOUCH.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In a first embodiment, a web of preformed bags includes a sheet material and a cushioning material. The sheet material includes a first sheet and a second sheet that are arranged to form a series of bags. The first and second sheets are connected together to form sides of each of the bags. Each of the bags is bounded by an opening and the sides where first and second sheets are connected together. The cushioning material is coupled to inner surfaces of the first and second sheets in each of the bags. The web further includes a line of weakness in at least one of the first and second sheets between each of the bags such that the bags are separable from the web by breaking the line of weakness. After an object is loaded in one of the bags, the opening of the one of the bags is configured to be sealed closed with the object therein such that the cushioning material in the one of the bags is arranged to cushion the object when the one of the bags is sealed closed.

In a second embodiment, the web of the first embodiment is configured such that the openings of the bags extend transversely across the web.

In a third embodiment, the web of the second embodiment is configured such that the cushioning material extends longitudinally along each of the first and second sheets.

In a fourth embodiment, the web of the third embodiment is configured such that the cushioning material is narrower transversely across the web than either of the first and second sheets. Longitudinal edges of each of the first and second sheets are connected directly to each other to form sides of the bags.

In a fifth embodiment, the web of any of the second to third embodiments is configured such that bottoms of the bags are formed by sealing portions of the cushioning material together transversely across the web.

In a sixth embodiment, the web of any of the second to fourth embodiments is configured such that the opening of each of the bags is configured to be sealed closed by sealing portions of the cushioning material together transversely across the web.

In a seventh embodiment, the web of any of the previous embodiments is configured such that the openings of the bags extend longitudinally along the web.

In an eighth embodiment, the web of the seventh embodiment is configured such that the first and second sheets are formed from a single sheet material and the first and second sheets are separated by a longitudinal fold in the single sheet material.

In a ninth embodiment, the web of the eighth embodiment is configured such that the longitudinal fold forms bottoms of the bags.

In a tenth embodiment, the web of any of the eighth to ninth embodiments is configured such that the cushioning material is a single sheet of cushioning material that extends longitudinally along the web.

In an eleventh embodiment, the web of the tenth embodiment is configured such that the cushioning material is narrower transversely across the web than the single sheet material, and longitudinal edges of the single sheet material are connected directly to each other to form a closed longitudinal channel proximate the openings of the bags.

In a twelfth embodiment, the web of the eleventh embodiment is configured such that the cushioning material is coupled to portions of the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets that are outside of the closed longitudinal channel.

In a thirteenth embodiment, the web of any of the eleventh to twelfth embodiments is configured such that the closed longitudinal channel includes a longitudinal line of weakness configured to be broken to permit access to the openings of the bags.

In a fourteenth embodiment, the web of any of the eleventh to thirteenth embodiments further includes transverse seams that extend from the longitudinal fold to the closed longitudinal channel. The transverse seams are located between the bags and form sides of the bags.

In a fifteenth embodiment, the web of the fourteenth embodiment is configured such that the line of weakness extends through one of the transverse seams.

In a sixteenth embodiment, the web of any of the fourteenth to fifteenth embodiments further includes a set of cuts associated with one of the transverse seams. The one of the transverse seams is located between a first bag and a second bag of the bags in the web. The set of cuts includes a transverse cut in the one of the transverse seams extending from the closed longitudinal channel toward the longitudinal fold, a first longitudinal cut extending from the one of the transverse seams into the first bag, and a second longitudinal cut extending from the one of the transverse seams into the second bag.

In a seventeenth embodiment, the web of the sixteenth embodiment is configured such that the first longitudinal cut is one cut in a first plurality of cuts extending from the one of the transverse seams into the first bag and the second longitudinal cut is one cut in a second plurality of cuts extending from the one of the transverse seams into the second bag.

In an eighteenth embodiment, the web of any of the preceding embodiments is configured such that the sheet material includes one or more of a polymer-based material, a fiber-based material, kraft paper, or a starch-based material.

In a nineteenth embodiment, the web of any of the preceding embodiments is configured such that the sheet material includes an outer layer configured to have information printed thereon.

In a twentieth embodiment, the web of any of the preceding embodiments is configured such that the cushioning material includes one or more of an air cellular cushioning material, a fiber-based cushioning material, macerated paper cushioning material, or a sheet foam cushioning material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of a web that can be used to form a web of preformed cushioned bags, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C depict front, longitudinal cross-sectional, and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of a web of preformed bags that is made from two pieces of the web shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 2D, 2E, and 2F depict front, longitudinal cross-sectional, and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of the web shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C having products loaded into the preformed bags, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of another embodiment of a web that can be used to form a web of preformed cushioned bags, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 4A and 4B depict front and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of a web of preformed bags that is made from two pieces of the web shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict front and top views, respectively, of the web shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and portion of a machine capable of opening the bags, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 5C and 5D depict an exploded cross-sectional view and an unexploded cross-sectional view, respectively, of the web shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and a portion of the machine shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 5E and 5F depict front and cross-sectional side views, respectively, of an embodiment of the web shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B with objects loaded into the bags and the bags being closed, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of a web, a single piece of which can be used to form a web of preformed cushioned bags, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C depict front, longitudinal cross-sectional, and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of a web of preformed bags that is made from a single piece of the web shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict front and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of a web of preformed bags that is made from a single piece of a web, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGS. 9A and 9B depict front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of a web, a single piece of which can be used to form a web of preformed cushioned bags, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict front and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of a web of preformed bags that is made from a single piece of the web shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes embodiments of webs of preformed cushioned bags that can be used for storing and shipping objects. The webs of preformed bags include cushioning material that can provide cushioning for objects loaded therein. The webs also include two sheets on either side of the bags, where the sheets are configured to provide physical protection and/or provide a surface on which information can be printed and/or applied. The webs of preformed bags can be configured to be fed through bagging machines that can aid in and/or automate the opening, loading, and closing of the bags. The present disclosure includes a number of variations and configurations of such webs of preformed cushioned bags.

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of a web 110 that can be used to form a web of preformed cushioned bags. In the depicted embodiment, the web 110 includes a sheet 112 and a cushioning material 114. The sheet 112 can include one or more of a polymer-based material (e.g., plastic materials, polyethylene, cellophane, vinyl films, pliofilms, cellulose acetate film, polystyrene, polypropylene), a fiber-based material (e.g., paper, kraft paper, paperboard, cardboard), or any other type of material that is capable of forming the sides of a mailer. In some embodiments, the sheet 112 can be a single-layer sheet or a multi-layer sheet. In the depicted embodiment, the sheet 112 includes an inner layer 116 and an outer layer 118. In some embodiments, the inner layer 116 is configured to be coupled to one or more of the cushioning material 114, another portion of the inner layer 116, or another sheet. Examples of such coupling of the inner layer 116 are described below. In some embodiments, the outer layer 118 is configured to provide physical protection and/or provide a surface on which information (e.g., a shipping label, advertising material, etc.) can be printed and/or applied.

The cushioning material 114 can be any type of material that provides cushioning on the inner surface of the sheet 112. In some embodiments, the cushioning material 114 can include one or more of air cellular material, foam sheeting material, expanded slit paper material, or any other cushioning material. In the depicted embodiment, the cushioning material 114 is an air cellular material. As used herein, the term “air cellular material” herein can refer to bubble cushioning material, such as BUBBLE WRAP® air cushioning material sold by Sealed Air Corporation, where a first film or laminate is formed (e.g., thermoformed, embossed, calendared, or otherwise processed) to define a plurality of cavities and a second film or laminate is adhered to the first film or laminate in order to close the cavities. As used herein, the term “air cellular material” herein can also refer to inflatable cushioning material, such as BUBBLE WRAP® IB air cushioning material sold by Sealed Air Corporation or FILL-AIR® air pillows void fill material sold by Sealed Air Corporation, where an inflatable web can be inflated and sealed to form the air cellular material. Examples of air cellular materials are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,142,599, 3,208,898, 3,285,793, 3,508,992, 3,586,565, 3,616,155, 3,660,189, 4,181,548, 4,184,904, 4,415,398, 4,576,669, 4,579,516, 6,800,162, 6,982,113, 7,018,495, 7,165,375, 7,220,476, 7,223,461, 7,429,304, 7,721,781, 7,950,433, 9,969,136 and 10,286,617, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The cushioning material 114 can be coupled to the inner surface of the sheet 112 in any number of ways. In some examples, the cushioning material 114 can be adhered to the sheet 112, heat sealed to the sheet 112, ultrasonic welded to the sheet 112, or otherwise coupled in any other way. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the cushioning material 114 is coupled to the sheet 112 such that the cushioning material 114 extends longitudinally along the inner surface of the sheet 112. In the depicted embodiment, the cushioning material 114 is not as wide as the sheet 112 and the cushioning material 114 is located on the sheet 112 in the transverse direction such that portions of the inner surface of the sheet 112 remain exposed on either side of the cushioning material 114. In some embodiments, the cushioning material 114 can be substantially centered on the sheet 112 in the transverse direction. In other embodiments, the cushioning material 114 can be offset from the center of the sheet 112 in the transverse direction.

The web 110 can be used to form a web of preformed cushioned bags. FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C depict front, longitudinal cross-sectional, and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of a web 100 of preformed bags 102 that is made from two pieces of the web 110. Both pieces of the web 110 (collectively, the webs 110) are connected together to form the preformed bags 102. In the depicted embodiments, the sheets 112 of the webs 110 are connected along longitudinal seams 120. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal seams 120 are located on either side of the cushioning material 114 of the webs 110 such that the longitudinal seams 120 form left and right sides of the bags 102. In some embodiments, the sheets 112 are connected together along the longitudinal seams 120 by any connecting method, such as adhering the sheets 112 together, heat sealing the sheets 112 together, ultrasonic welding the sheets 112 together, or otherwise connecting the sheets 112 together in any other method.

In the depicted embodiments, the sheets 112 of the webs 110 are connected along transverse seams 122. In the depicted embodiment, each of the transverse seams 122 is located between two consecutive bags 102. In some embodiments, the sheets 112 are connected together along the transverse seams 122 by any one of adhering the sheets 112 together, heat sealing the sheets 112 together, ultrasonic welding the sheets 112 together, or otherwise coupling the sheets 112 together in any other method. For example, the transverse seams 122 can be formed by heat sealing the sheets 112 and the cushioning material 114 in the webs 110. In some embodiments, the transverse seams 122 in the web 100 include a line of weakness 124 that passes transversely across the web 100. In some embodiments, the lines of weakness 124 are formed from a perforation, a slit, a thinner portion of material, or other line of weakness that allow the web 100 to be torn or otherwise broken through or proximate the transverse seams 122. The lines of weakness 124 form the boundaries between the bags 102. In some embodiments, each of the bags 102 can be removed from the web 100 by breaking the lines of weakness 124 on either side of the bags. In the depicted embodiment, the lines of weakness 124 are proximate the transverse seam 122 such that the transverse seams 122 form bottoms of the bags 102. In this way, the longitudinal seams 120 form the left and right sides of each of the bags 102 and the transverse seams 122 form the bottoms of the bags 102.

In some embodiments, the bags 102 in the web 100 include openings 126 that permit an object to be loaded into the bag between the sheets 112 of the webs 110. In the depicted embodiment, the openings 126 are transverse cuts across only one of the two webs 110 and the openings 126 are substantially aligned with the lines of weakness 124. In some embodiments, the openings 126 are transverse cuts through the sheet 112 and the cushioning material 114 of one of the web 110. The opening 126 of one of the bags 102 can be formed (e.g., pulled) into a two-dimensional shape—as indicated in FIG. 2B—to aid in the loading of an object through the opening 126 into the bag 102. As used herein, an “object” may comprise a single item capable of being packaged in a single bag or a grouping of several distinct items that are capable of being packaged in a single bag. Further, an object may include any accompanying informational items, such as a packing slip, tracking code, a manifest, an invoice, a machine-readable identifier (e.g., a bar code or a quick response (QR) code) that can be sensed by a reader (e.g., a bar code scanner or a camera), or any other informational item.

FIGS. 2D, 2E, and 2F depict front, longitudinal cross-sectional, and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of the web 100 having products 104 loaded into the preformed bags 102. In the depicted embodiment, the openings 126 are proximate the transverse seams 122. After one of the objects 104 has been loaded into one of the bags 102, a closing seal 121 can be formed in the bag 102 proximate the opening 126. In the depicted embodiment, the closing seal 121 is formed below the opening 126, as viewed in FIG. 2A, such that the closing seal 121 forms the top of the bag 102. The closing seal 121 can extend completely transversely across the bag 102 (e.g., between the two longitudinal seams 120), as is the case in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2D to 2F. In other embodiments, the closing seal 121 may extend transversely across the bag 102, though not completely between the two longitudinal seams 120 or the closing seal 121 may be intermittent to allow gas (e.g., air) to flow between the inside of the bag 102 and the external environment. In some embodiments, the closing seal may be formed by various techniques including, but not limited to, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, gluing, and the like. Such opening, loading, and closing of the bags 102 can, in some embodiments, be aided by bagging machines. Examples of bagging machines that may be used in such processes with webs having openings that extend transversely across the web are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,743,070; 6,543,201; 7,258,656; 7,654,064; 8,069,635; 8,549,822; 8,887,978; and 10,336,489; the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of a web 210 that can be used to form a web of preformed cushioned bags. In the depicted embodiment, the web 210 includes a and a cushioning material 214. The sheet 212 can include one or more of any of the sheet materials described herein. In some embodiments, the sheet 212 can be a single-layer sheet or a multi-layer sheet. In some embodiment, the sheet 212 can includes a single layer or multiple layers. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the sheet 212 is configured to be coupled to one or more of the cushioning material 214, to another portion of the inner surface of the sheet 212, or to another sheet. Examples of such coupling of the inner surface of the sheet 212 are described below. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the sheet 212 is configured to provide physical protection and/or provide a surface on which information (e.g., a shipping label, advertising material, etc.) can be printed and/or applied.

The cushioning material 214 can be any type of material that provides cushioning on the inner surface of the sheet 212. The cushioning material 214 can include one or more of any of the cushioning materials described herein. In the depicted embodiment, the cushioning material 214 is an air cellular material. The cushioning material 214 can be coupled to the inner surface of the sheet 212 in any number of ways, including any of the ways of coupling cushioning materials to sheets described herein. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cushioning material 214 is coupled to the sheet 212 such that the cushioning material 214 extends longitudinally along the inner surface of the sheet 212. In the depicted embodiment, the cushioning material 214 is not as wide as the sheet 212 and the cushioning material 214 is located on the sheet 212 in the transverse direction such that portions of the inner surface of the sheet 212 remain exposed on either side of the cushioning material 214. In the depicted embodiment, the cushioning material 214 is offset from the center of the sheet 212 in the transverse direction such that a wide longitudinal side 216 and a narrow longitudinal side 218 of the inner surface of the sheet 212 remain exposed on either side of the cushioning material 214. In other embodiments, the cushioning material 214 can be substantially centered on the sheet 212 in the transverse direction.

The web 210 can be used to form a web of preformed cushioned bags. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict front and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of a web 200 of preformed bags 202 that is made from two pieces of the web 210. Both pieces of the web 210 (collectively, the webs 210) are connected together to form the preformed bags 202. In the depicted embodiments, the sheets 212 of the webs 210 are connected along a longitudinal seam 220 that connects the longitudinal edges of the wide longitudinal sides 216 of the webs 210 and along a longitudinal seam 219 that connects the longitudinal edges of the narrow longitudinal sides 218 of the webs 210. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal seams 220 and 218 are located on either side of the cushioning material 214 of the webs 210 such that the longitudinal seam 220 forms a top of the bags 202 and the longitudinal seam 219 forms a bottom of the bags 202. In some embodiments, the sheets 212 are connected together along the longitudinal seams 220 and 218 by any one of the connecting methods described herein.

In the depicted embodiments, the sheets 212 of the webs 210 are connected along transverse seams 222. In the depicted embodiment, each of the transverse seams 222 is located between two consecutive bags 202. In some embodiments, the sheets 212 are connected together along the transverse seams 222 by any one of the connecting methods described herein. In some embodiments, the transverse seams 222 in the web 200 include a line of weakness 224 that extends transversely across the web 200 from the longitudinal seam 219. In some embodiments, the lines of weakness 224 are formed from a perforation, a slit, a thinner portion of material, or other line of weakness that allow the web 200 to be torn or otherwise broken through or proximate the transverse seams 222. The lines of weakness 224 form the boundaries between the bags 202. In some embodiments, each of the bags 202 can be removed from the web 200 by breaking the lines of weakness 224 on either side of the bags. In the depicted embodiment, a portion of the transverse seam 222 on one side of one of the lines of weakness 224 forms the left side of one of the bags 202 and the portion of the transverse seam 222 on the other side of the line of weakness 224 forms the right side of another one of the bags 202. In this way, the longitudinal seams 220 and 218 and the transverse seams 222 form the top, bottom, left side, and right side of each of the bags 202.

In some embodiments, the web 200 includes a closed longitudinal channel 226. In the depicted embodiment, the closed longitudinal channel 226 is located between the wide longitudinal sides 216 of the sheets 212 of the webs 210 and between the longitudinal seam 220 and the cushioning material 214 of the webs 210. The closed longitudinal channel 226 is configured to be opened to permit objects to be loaded into the bags 202. In the depicted embodiment, the closed longitudinal channel 226 includes a longitudinal line of perforation 228 that permits the closed longitudinal channel 226 to be opened by a blunt tool, an example of which is described below. The longitudinal line of perforation 228 may be located proximate the bottom of the longitudinal seam 220, as shown in the depicted embodiment, or in one or both of the wide longitudinal sides 216 proximate the longitudinal seam 220. In other embodiments, the closed longitudinal channel 226 may not include a line of perforation, but the closed longitudinal channel 226 may still be openable by a sharp tool (e.g., a blade, a knife, etc.) or a heated tool (e.g., a heat bar).

In some embodiments, the web 200 includes a set of cuts 230 associated with each of the transverse seams 222. The set of cuts 230 may be useful in forming the opening of the bags 202 into a two-dimensional shape, as described in greater detail below. In the depicted embodiment, each of the sets of cuts 230 includes a transverse cut 232, a first longitudinal cut 234, and a second longitudinal cut 236. The transverse cut 232 is in one of the transverse seams 222 and extends from the closed longitudinal channel 226 toward the longitudinal seam 219. The first longitudinal cut 234 extends from one of the transverse seams 222 into the bag 202 on one side of the transverse seam 222 and the second longitudinal cut 236 extends from one of the transverse seams 222 into the bag 202 on the other side of the transverse seam 222. This configuration of the set of cuts 230 is sometimes referred to as a “tee cut” as the transverse cut 232, the first longitudinal cut 234, and the second longitudinal cut 236 form a tee shape. In the depicted embodiment, the first longitudinal cut 234 includes a plurality of cuts extending from the transverse seam 222 into the bag 202 on the one side of the transverse seam 222 and the second longitudinal cut 236 includes a plurality of cuts extending from the transverse seam 222 into the bag 202 on the other side of the transverse seam 222. In the depicted embodiment, the transverse cut 232 also includes a plurality of cuts extending through the transverse seam 222. When one or more of each of the set of cuts 230 includes a plurality of cuts (as opposed to a single cut), the web 200 may be more likely to be conveyed (e.g., fed through an automated bagging machine) without jamming or catching on any the set of cuts 230. In other embodiments, some or all of the cuts in each of the sets of cuts 230 can be a single cut. The sets of cuts 230 can aid in the opening of the bags 202 for loading objects into the bags 202, as described in an example below.

FIGS. 5A and 5B depict front and top views, respectively, of the web 200 and portion of a machine 250 capable of opening the bags 202. In some embodiments, the machine 250 is a portion of a bagging machine. Examples of machines that can be used to open, fill, and close webs of bags having longitudinal product receiving openings are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,743,070; 5,722,218; 6,170,238; 7,258,656; 7,552,571; 8,887,978; and 9,617,102; the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The machine 250 includes a guide 252 and a plow 254. The guide 252 is configured to be inserted into the closed longitudinal channel 226 as the web 200 is moved in a downstream direction 270. In the depicted embodiment, the plow is coupled to the guide 252 such that the plow 254 engages the longitudinal seam 220 as the web 200 is moved in the downstream direction 270. The plow is shaped to exert a force on the longitudinal seam 220 and cause the longitudinal line of perforation 228 to break as the web 200 is moved in the downstream direction 270. The breaking of the longitudinal line of perforation 228 allows the wide longitudinal sides 216 of the webs 210 to separate from each other on either side of the plow 254.

The machine 250 further includes carrier belts 256 and retention belts 258. In the depicted embodiment, one of each of the carrier belts 256 and retention belts 258 is located on either side of the web 200. Each pair of a carrier belt 256 and a retention belt 258 is configured to engage and hold one of the wide longitudinal sides 216 of the webs 210 after the wide longitudinal sides 216 of the webs 210 have been separated from each other by the plow 254. In the depicted embodiment, after the wide longitudinal sides 216 of the webs 210 have been separated, each of the wide longitudinal sides 216 is fed between one of the carrier belts 256 and one of the retention belts 258. Each pair of one carrier belt 256 and one retention belt 258 is configured to grip one of the wide longitudinal sides 216 therebetween to open the bags. The concerted operation of the carrier belts 256 and a retention belts 258 is described below.

FIGS. 5C and 5D depict an exploded cross-sectional view and an unexploded cross-sectional view, respectively, of the web 200 and a portion of the machine 250. As can bee seen in FIGS. 5C and 5D, the upper surface of each of the carrier belts 256 includes a groove that can accommodate one the retention belts 258 with one of the wide longitudinal sides 216 therebetween. After the wide longitudinal sides 216 are separated by the plow 254, the wide longitudinal sides 216 are fed toward the carrier belts 256. The retention belts 258 are also brough down over the wide longitudinal sides 216. The machine includes insertion wheels 260. Each of the insertion wheels 260 is positioned over the groove of one of the carrier belts 256 and is configured to bias one of the retention belts 258 into the groove of the carrier belt 256. With one of the wide longitudinal sides 216 located between the carrier belt 256 and the retention belt 258, the insertion of the retention belt 258 into the groove of the carrier belt 256 captures the wide longitudinal side 216 between the retention belt 258 and the carrier belt 256 so that the wide longitudinal side 216 is securely held.

From the point where both of the wide longitudinal sides 216 are held by the carrier belts 256 and the retention belts 258, sides of the web 200 will follow the path of the carrier belts 256 and the retention belts 258. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, the paths of the carrier belts 256 and the retention belts 258 diverge after the wide longitudinal sides 216 are held by the carrier belts 256 and the retention belts 258. This divergence causes the sets of cuts 230 in the webs 210 to form broken edges 231. The broken edges 231 permit the bags 202 to open such that the openings of the bags 202 have two-dimensional shapes. In the depicted embodiment, the bags 202 open to form irregular-hexagonal-shaped openings. In other embodiments, the openings of the bag 202 can have any other type of two-dimensional shape, such as the shape of a regular hexagon, a rectangle, a rhombus, or any other regular or irregular two-dimensional shape. While the carrier belts 256 and the retention belts 258 hold the bags 202 open, objects can be loaded into the bags 202. For example, a user can manually insert (e.g., drop) an object into one of the bags 202 when the bag 202 is open. In another example, an automated dispensing machine can insert an object into the bag 202 when the bag 202 is open.

After the bags 202 have been opened for loading, the carrier belts 256 and the retention belts 258 can continue feeding the bags 202 in the downstream direction 270 and the carrier belts 256 and the retention belts 258 can again converge to bring the wide longitudinal sides 216 back together. At that point, the bags 202 can be closed. FIGS. 5E and 5F depict front and cross-sectional side views, respectively, of an embodiment of the web 200 with objects 204 loaded into the bags 202 and the bags 202 closed. In the depicted embodiment, a closing seal 221 has been formed across the tops of the transverse seams 222, as viewed in FIG. 5E, such that the closing seal 221 forms the tops of the bags 202. The closing seal 221 can extend completely transversely across the bag 202 (e.g., between the longitudinal seals 222), as is the case in the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5E and 5F. In other embodiments, the closing seal 221 may extend transversely across the bag 202, though not completely between the longitudinal seals 222 or the closing seal 221 may be intermittent to allow gas (e.g., air) to flow between the inside of the bag 202 and the external environment. In some embodiments, the closing seal may be formed by various techniques including, but not limited to, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, gluing, and the like.

In the depicted embodiments, portions of the wide longitudinal sides 216 above the closing seal 221 have been removed (e.g., cut off) so that significant amounts of excess material do not extend beyond the closing seal 221. At the point shown in FIGS. 5E and 5F, the bags 202 can be separated from the web 200 by breaking the lines of weakness 224 and/or the sheet 212 on either side of the broken edges 231. This disconnects the bags from each other while leaving a portion of the longitudinal seals 222 on either side of the break to form the sides of the bags 202. The bags 202 can include a label (e.g. a shipping label) that is either printed or applied to one or both of the sheets 212. It will be understood that the label can be printed or applied to one of the sheets 212 at any point, such as before the web 200 is engaged by the machine 250, at any point during the handling of the web 200, while the bags 202 are closed by remain connected to the web 200 (e.g., in the condition shown in FIGS. 5E and 5F), after the bags 202 have been disconnected from the web 200, or at any other time. After a bag 202 has been labeled and disconnected from the web 200, the bag 202 can be used for shipping the object or for any other suitable purpose.

The embodiments of webs of preformed bags described above include multiple webs that are connected together to form the webs of preformed bags. For example, the web 100 includes two of the webs 110 that are connected together to form the web 100 of preformed bags 102 and the web 200 includes two of the webs 210 that are connected together to form the web 200 of preformed bags 202. In other embodiments, a web of preformed bags can be formed from a single web that is folded against itself or otherwise juxtaposed to form the web of preformed bags. Examples of a single web being used to form a web of preformed bags are described in detail below.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of a web 310, a single piece of which can be used to form a web of preformed cushioned bags. In the depicted embodiment, the web 310 includes a sheet 312 and a cushioning material 314. The sheet 312 can include any of the materials of sheets described herein. In some embodiments, the sheet 312 includes an inner surface and an outer surface. In some embodiments, a portion of the inner surface of the sheet 312 is configured to be coupled to the cushioning material 314. In the depicted embodiment, the portions of the inner surface of the sheet 312 not covered by the cushioning material 314 are configured to be coupled to each other. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the sheet 312 is configured to provide physical protection and/or provide a surface on which information (e.g., a shipping label, advertising material, etc.) can be printed and/or applied.

The cushioning material 314 can be any type of material that provides cushioning on the inner surface of the sheet 312. In some embodiments, the cushioning material 314 can include any type of cushioning material described herein. The cushioning material 314 can be coupled to the inner surface of the sheet 312 in any number of ways. In some examples, the cushioning material 314 can be adhered to the sheet 312, heat sealed to the sheet 312, ultrasonic welded to the sheet 312, or otherwise coupled in any other way. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cushioning material 314 is coupled to the sheet 312 such that the cushioning material 314 extends longitudinally along the inner surface of the sheet 312. In the depicted embodiment, the cushioning material 314 is not as wide as the sheet 312 and the cushioning material 314 is located on the sheet 312 in the transverse direction such that portions of the inner surface of the sheet 312 remain exposed on either side of the cushioning material 314. In some embodiments, the cushioning material 314 can be substantially centered on the sheet 312 in the transverse direction. In other embodiments, the cushioning material 314 can be offset from the center of the sheet 312 in the transverse direction. When comparing the web 310 in FIGS. 6A and 6B to the web 110 in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the sheet 312 of the web 310 is wider in the transverse direction than the sheet 112 of the web 110 and the cushioning material 314 is wider in the transverse direction than the cushioning material 114 of the web 110. The widths of the sheet 312 and the cushioning material 314 allow the web 310 to be used to form a web of preformed bags.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C depict front, longitudinal cross-sectional, and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of a web 300 of preformed bags 302 that is made from a single piece of the web 310. The web 310 has been folded along a longitudinal fold 318 and connected along a longitudinal seam 320 to form the preformed bags 302. In the depicted embodiment, the portions of the sheet 312 connected along the longitudinal seam 320 are portions of the sheet 312 along the longitudinal edges of the web 310 that are not covered by the cushioning material 314. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal seam 320 is located on a side of the web 300 opposite the longitudinal fold 318 such that the longitudinal seam 320 and the longitudinal fold 318 form left and right sides of the bags 302, as viewed in FIG. 7A. In some embodiments, the sheets 312 are connected together along the longitudinal seam 320 by any one of the connecting methods described herein (e.g., adhering, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, or any other connecting method).

In the depicted embodiments, the sheet 312 of the web 310 is also connected along transverse seams 322. In the depicted embodiment, each of the transverse seams 322 is located between two consecutive bags 302. In some embodiments, the sheet 312 is connected together along the transverse seams 322 by any one of the connecting methods described herein (e.g., adhering, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, or any other connecting method). For example, the transverse seams 322 can be formed by heat sealing the sheet 312 and the cushioning material 314 in the web 310. In some embodiments, the transverse seams 322 in the web 300 include a line of weakness 324 that passes transversely across the web 300. In some embodiments, the lines of weakness 324 are formed from a perforation, a slit, a thinner portion of material, or other line of weakness that allow the web 300 to be torn or otherwise broken through or proximate the transverse seams 322. The lines of weakness 324 form the boundaries between the bags 302. In some embodiments, each of the bags 302 can be removed from the web 300 by breaking the lines of weakness 324 on either side of the bags. In the depicted embodiment, the lines of weakness 324 are proximate the transverse seam 322 such that the transverse seams 322 form bottoms of the bags 302. In this way, the longitudinal seam 320, the longitudinal fold 318, and the transverse seams 322 form the left side, the right side, and the bottom, respectively, of each of the bags 302.

In some embodiments, the bags 302 in the web 300 include openings 326 that permit an object to be loaded into the bag between the two sides of the sheets 312 of the web 310. In the depicted embodiment, the openings 326 are transverse cuts across only one of the two webs 310 and the openings 326 are substantially aligned with the lines of weakness 324. In some embodiments, the openings 326 are transverse cuts through the sheet 312 and the cushioning material 314 through a portion of the web 310 on one side of the longitudinal fold 318. The opening 326 of one of the bags 302 can be formed (e.g., pulled) into a two-dimensional shape—as indicated in FIG. 7B—to aid in the loading of an object through the opening 326 into the bag 302.

After an object has been loaded into one of the bags 302, the bag can be closed. For example, a closing seal can be formed in the bag 302 proximate the opening 326. The closing seal can be made in the bags 302 similar to the way in which the closing seals 121 were made in the bags 102, as shown in FIGS. 2D, 2E, and 2F. For example, a closing seal can be formed below the opening 326, as viewed in FIG. 2A, such that the closing seal forms the top of the bag 302. The closing seal can extend completely transversely across the bag 302 (e.g., between the longitudinal fold 318 and the longitudinal seam 320). In another example, the closing seal may extend transversely across the bag 302, though not completely between the longitudinal fold 318 and the longitudinal seam 320 or the closing seal may be intermittent to allow gas (e.g., air) to flow between the inside of the bag 302 and the external environment. In some embodiments, the closing seal may be formed by various techniques including, but not limited to, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, gluing, and the like. Such opening, loading, and closing of the bags 302 can, in some embodiments, be aided by bagging machines.

FIGS. 8A and 8B depict front and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of a web 400 of preformed bags 402 that is made from a single piece of a web 410. The web 410 is similar to the web 310 in that the web 410 has a sheet 412 and a cushioning material 414 connected thereto. In the depicted embodiment, the cushioning material 414 is substantially centered on the sheet 412 in the transverse direction. The web 410 differs from the web 310 in that the longitudinal sides 416 of the sheet 412—the longitudinal edges of the sheet 412 that are not covered by the cushioning material 414—are wider in the transverse direction than the corresponding longitudinal sides of the sheet 312 in the web 310. In the web 410, the sheet 412 can include any type of sheet material and the cushioning material 414 can be any type of cushioning material.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the web 410 has been folded along a longitudinal fold 418 and connected together along a longitudinal seam 420 to form the web 400 of preformed bags 402. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal sides 416 of the web 410 are connected together near the longitudinal edges of the sheet 412 to form the longitudinal seam 420. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal seams 420 is located opposite of the longitudinal fold 418 such that the longitudinal seam 420 forms a top of the bags 402 and the longitudinal fold 418 forms a bottom of the bags 402. In some embodiments, the sheet 412 is connected together along the longitudinal seam 420 by any one of the connecting methods described herein.

In the depicted embodiments, the sheet 412 of the web 410 is further connected along transverse seams 422. In the depicted embodiment, each of the transverse seams 422 is located between two consecutive bags 402. In some embodiments, the sheets 412 are connected together along the transverse seams 422 by any one of the connecting methods described herein. In some embodiments, the transverse seams 422 in the web 400 include a line of weakness 424 that extends transversely across the web 400 from the longitudinal fold 418. In some embodiments, the lines of weakness 424 are formed from a perforation, a slit, a thinner portion of material, or other line of weakness that allow the web 400 to be torn or otherwise broken through or proximate the transverse seams 422. The lines of weakness 424 form the boundaries between the bags 402. In some embodiments, each of the bags 402 can be removed from the web 400 by breaking the lines of weakness 424 on either side of the bags. In the depicted embodiment, a portion of the transverse seam 422 on one side of one of the lines of weakness 424 forms the left side of one of the bags 402 and the portion of the transverse seam 422 on the other side of the line of weakness 424 forms the right side of another one of the bags 402. In this way, the longitudinal seam 420, the longitudinal fold 418, and the transverse seams 422 form the top, bottom, and left and right sides of each of the bags 402.

In some embodiments, the web 400 includes a closed longitudinal channel 426. In the depicted embodiment, the closed longitudinal channel 426 is located between the longitudinal sides 416 of the sheet 412 of the web 410 and between the longitudinal seam 420 and the cushioning material 414 of the web 410. The closed longitudinal channel 426 is configured to be opened to permit objects to be loaded into the bags 402. In the depicted embodiment, the closed longitudinal channel 426 includes a longitudinal line of perforation 428 that permits the closed longitudinal channel 426 to be opened by a blunt tool (e.g., the plow 254 in the machine 250). The longitudinal line of perforation 428 may be located proximate the bottom of the longitudinal seam 420, as shown in the depicted embodiment, or in one or both of the longitudinal sides 416 proximate the longitudinal seam 420. In other embodiments, the closed longitudinal channel 426 may not include a line of perforation, but the closed longitudinal channel 426 may still be openable by a sharp tool (e.g., a blade, a knife, etc.) or a heated tool (e.g., a heat bar).

In some embodiments, the web 400 includes a set of cuts 430 associated with each of the transverse seams 422. The set of cuts 430 may be useful in forming the opening of the bags 402 into a two-dimensional shape. In the depicted embodiment, each of the sets of cuts 430 includes a transverse cut 432, a first longitudinal cut 434, and a second longitudinal cut 436. The transverse cut 432 is in one of the transverse seams 422 and extends from the closed longitudinal channel 426 toward the longitudinal fold 418. The first longitudinal cut 434 extends from one of the transverse seams 422 into the bag 402 on one side of the transverse seam 422 and the second longitudinal cut 436 extends from one of the transverse seams 422 into the bag 402 on the other side of the transverse seam 422. This configuration of the set of cuts 430 is sometimes referred to as a “tee cut” as the transverse cut 432, the first longitudinal cut 434, and the second longitudinal cut 436 form a tee shape. In the depicted embodiment, the first longitudinal cut 434 includes a plurality of cuts extending from the transverse seam 422 into the bag 402 on the one side of the transverse seam 422 and the second longitudinal cut 436 includes a plurality of cuts extending from the transverse seam 422 into the bag 402 on the other side of the transverse seam 422. In the depicted embodiment, the transverse cut 432 also includes a plurality of cuts extending through the transverse seam 422. When one or more of each of the set of cuts 430 includes a plurality of cuts (as opposed to a single cut), the web 400 may be more likely to be conveyed (e.g., fed through an automated bagging machine) without jamming or catching on any the set of cuts 430. In other embodiments, some or all of the cuts in each of the sets of cuts 430 can be a single cut. The sets of cuts 430 can aid in the opening of the bags 402 for loading objects into the bags 402.

The web 400 of preformed bags 402 can be used similar to the use of the web 200 shown in FIGS. 5A to 5F. For example, the web 400 of preformed bags 402 can be fed on a bagging machine that includes the machine 250. As the web 400 is fed in the downstream direction 270, guide 252 can be inserted into the closed longitudinal channel 426 and the plow can engage the longitudinal seam 420 to cause the longitudinal line of perforation 428 to break. The breaking of the longitudinal line of perforation 428 allows the longitudinal sides 416 of the web 410 to separate from each other on either side of the plow 254 and be engaged by the carrier belts 256 and retention belts 258. The carrier belts 256 and retention belts 258 can cause the longitudinal sides 416 of the web 410 to diverge to sequentially open the bags 402, allowing the bags 402 to be filled with objects (e.g., either manually filled or filled in an automated manner). The carrier belts 256 and retention belts 258 can further cause the sides of the bags 402 to be brought together so that a closing seal can be formed in the bags 402. At that point, the bags 402 can be separated from the web 400 by breaking the lines of weakness 424 between the bags 402.

In some cases, the cushioning material in a web may be conducive to folding such that a longitudinal fold can be made in the web through the cushioning material. For example, in the embodiment of the web 300, the web 310 is folded about the longitudinal fold 318 through the cushioning material 314. Similarly, in the embodiment of the web 400, the web 410 is folded about the longitudinal fold 418 through the cushioning material 414. However, in other cases, the cushioning material in a web may not be conducive to folding such that a longitudinal fold can be made in the web through the cushioning material is not feasible or practical. In such cases, it may be advantageous to have a gap in the cushioning material to permit longitudinal folding of the web.

FIGS. 9A and 9B depict front and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an embodiment of a web 510, a single piece of which can be used to form a web of preformed cushioned bags. In the depicted embodiment, the web 510 includes a sheet 512 and a cushioning material 514. The sheet 512 can include any of the materials of sheets described herein. In some embodiments, the sheet 512 includes an inner surface and an outer surface. In some embodiments, a portion of the inner surface of the sheet 512 is configured to be coupled to the cushioning material 514. In the depicted embodiment, the cushioning material 514 includes two pieces of cushioning material 514 that extend longitudinally along the sheet 512 and are separated by a gap 515. In the depicted embodiment, the gap 515 is substantially centered transversely on the sheet 512. In some embodiments, the outer surface of the sheet 512 is configured to provide physical protection and/or provide a surface on which information (e.g., a shipping label, advertising material, etc.) can be printed and/or applied.

The cushioning material 514 can be any type of material that provides cushioning on the inner surface of the sheet 512. In some embodiments, the cushioning material 514 can include any type of cushioning material described herein. The cushioning material 514 can be coupled to the inner surface of the sheet 512 in any number of ways. In some examples, the cushioning material 514 can be adhered to the sheet 512, heat sealed to the sheet 512, ultrasonic welded to the sheet 512, or otherwise coupled in any other way. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the cushioning material 514 is coupled to the sheet 512 such that the cushioning material 514 extends longitudinally along the inner surface of the sheet 512. The web 510 includes longitudinal sides 516 of the sheet 512 on either side of the two pieces of cushioning material 514 near the longitudinal edges of the sheet 512. The portions of the inner surface of the sheet 512 that are in the longitudinal sides 516 are configured to be coupled to each other.

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict front and transverse cross-sectional views, respectively, of a web 500 of preformed bags 502 that is made from a single piece of the web 510. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the web 510 has been folded along a longitudinal fold 518 that is located in the gap 515 between the two pieces of the cushioning material 514. The gap 515 between the cushioning material 514 may ease the folding of the web 510 along the longitudinal fold 518 and reduce stress on the sheet 512 at the longitudinal fold 518. In the depicted embodiment, the sheet 512 is connected together along a longitudinal seam 520 to form the web 500 of preformed bags 502. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal sides 516 of the web 510 are connected together near the longitudinal edges of the sheet 512 to form the longitudinal seam 520. In the depicted embodiment, the longitudinal seams 520 is located opposite of the longitudinal fold 518 such that the longitudinal seam 520 forms a top of the bags 502 and the longitudinal fold 518 forms a bottom of the bags 502. In some embodiments, the sheet 512 is connected together along the longitudinal seam 520 by any one of the connecting methods described herein.

In the depicted embodiments, the sheet 512 of the web 510 is further connected along transverse seams 522. In the depicted embodiment, each of the transverse seams 522 is located between two consecutive bags 502. In some embodiments, the sheets 512 are connected together along the transverse seams 522 by any one of the connecting methods described herein. In some embodiments, the transverse seams 522 in the web 500 include a line of weakness 524 that extends transversely across the web 500 from the longitudinal fold 518. In some embodiments, the lines of weakness 524 are formed from a perforation, a slit, a thinner portion of material, or other line of weakness that allow the web 500 to be torn or otherwise broken through or proximate the transverse seams 522. The lines of weakness 524 form the boundaries between the bags 502. In some embodiments, each of the bags 502 can be removed from the web 500 by breaking the lines of weakness 524 on either side of the bags. In the depicted embodiment, a portion of the transverse seam 522 on one side of one of the lines of weakness 524 forms the left side of one of the bags 502 and the portion of the transverse seam 522 on the other side of the line of weakness 524 forms the right side of another one of the bags 502. In this way, the longitudinal seam 520, the longitudinal fold 518, and the transverse seams 522 form the top, bottom, and left and right sides of each of the bags 502.

In some embodiments, the web 500 includes a closed longitudinal channel 526. In the depicted embodiment, the closed longitudinal channel 526 is located between the longitudinal sides 516 of the sheet 512 of the web 510 and between the longitudinal seam 520 and the cushioning material 514 of the web 510. The closed longitudinal channel 526 is configured to be opened to permit objects to be loaded into the bags 502. In the depicted embodiment, the closed longitudinal channel 526 includes a longitudinal line of perforation 528 that permits the closed longitudinal channel 526 to be opened by a blunt tool (e.g., the plow 254 in the machine 250). The longitudinal line of perforation 528 may be located proximate the bottom of the longitudinal seam 520, as shown in the depicted embodiment, or in one or both of the longitudinal sides 516 proximate the longitudinal seam 520. In other embodiments, the closed longitudinal channel 526 may not include a line of perforation, but the closed longitudinal channel 526 may still be openable by a sharp tool (e.g., a blade, a knife, etc.) or a heated tool (e.g., a heat bar).

In some embodiments, the web 500 includes a set of cuts 530 associated with each of the transverse seams 522. The set of cuts 530 may be useful in forming the opening of the bags 502 into a two-dimensional shape. In the depicted embodiment, each of the sets of cuts 530 includes a transverse cut 532, a first longitudinal cut 534, and a second longitudinal cut 536. The transverse cut 532 is in one of the transverse seams 522 and extends from the closed longitudinal channel 526 toward the longitudinal fold 518. The first longitudinal cut 534 extends from one of the transverse seams 522 into the bag 502 on one side of the transverse seam 522 and the second longitudinal cut 536 extends from one of the transverse seams 522 into the bag 502 on the other side of the transverse seam 522. This configuration of the set of cuts 530 is sometimes referred to as a “tee cut” as the transverse cut 532, the first longitudinal cut 534, and the second longitudinal cut 536 form a tee shape. In the depicted embodiment, the first longitudinal cut 534 includes a plurality of cuts extending from the transverse seam 522 into the bag 502 on the one side of the transverse seam 522 and the second longitudinal cut 536 includes a plurality of cuts extending from the transverse seam 522 into the bag 502 on the other side of the transverse seam 522. In the depicted embodiment, the transverse cut 532 also includes a plurality of cuts extending through the transverse seam 522. When one or more of each of the set of cuts 530 includes a plurality of cuts (as opposed to a single cut), the web 500 may be more likely to be conveyed (e.g., fed through an automated bagging machine) without jamming or catching on any the set of cuts 530. In other embodiments, some or all of the cuts in each of the sets of cuts 530 can be a single cut. The sets of cuts 530 can aid in the opening of the bags 502 for loading objects into the bags 502.

The web 500 of preformed bags 502 can be used similar to the use of the web 200 shown in FIGS. 5A to 5F. For example, the web 500 of preformed bags 502 can be fed on a bagging machine that includes the machine 250. As the web 500 is fed in the downstream direction 270, guide 252 can be inserted into the closed longitudinal channel 526 and the plow can engage the longitudinal seam 520 to cause the longitudinal line of perforation 528 to break. The breaking of the longitudinal line of perforation 528 allows the longitudinal sides 516 of the web 510 to separate from each other on either side of the plow 254 and be engaged by the carrier belts 256 and retention belts 258. The carrier belts 256 and retention belts 258 can cause the longitudinal sides 516 of the web 510 to diverge to sequentially open the bags 502, allowing the bags 502 to be filled with objects (e.g., either manually filled or filled in an automated manner). The carrier belts 256 and retention belts 258 can further cause the sides of the bags 502 to be brought together so that a closing seal can be formed in the bags 502. At that point, the bags 502 can be separated from the web 500 by breaking the lines of weakness 424 between the bags 402.

While not depicted herein, it will be apparent that the web 510—or any other variation where a longitudinal gap exists between two pieces of cushioning material—can be used to form other forms of webs of preformed bags, such as one similar to the web 300 shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C. In particular, the web 510 could be folded in the gap to form right sides of bags and the longitudinal sides 516 of the web 510 could be sealed to each other to form left sides of the bags. Pre-formation seals could be formed transversely across the web to form bottoms of the bags. After one of the bags is filled with an object, a post-formation seal can be formed transversely across the web to close the bag.

For purposes of this disclosure, terminology such as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inwardly,” “outwardly,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” and the like, should be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Unless stated otherwise, the terms “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like are used to mean within 5% of a target value.

The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A web of preformed bags, comprising: a sheet material comprising a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein first and second sheets are arranged to form a series of bags, wherein the first and second sheets are connected together to form sides of each of the bags, wherein each of the bags is bounded by an opening and the sides where first and second sheets are connected together; a cushioning material coupled to inner surfaces of the first and second sheets in each of the bags; and a line of weakness in at least one of the first and second sheets between each of the bags, wherein the bags are separable from the web by breaking the line of weakness; wherein, after an object is loaded in one of the bags, the opening of the one of the bags is configured to be sealed closed with the object therein such that the cushioning material in the one of the bags is arranged to cushion the object when the one of the bags is sealed closed.
 2. The web of claim 1, wherein the openings of the bags extend transversely across the web.
 3. The web of claim 2, wherein the cushioning material extends longitudinally along each of the first and second sheets.
 4. The web of claim 3, wherein the cushioning material is narrower transversely across the web than either of the first and second sheets, and wherein longitudinal edges of each of the first and second sheets are connected directly to each other to form sides of the bags.
 5. The web of claim 2, wherein bottoms of the bags are formed by sealing portions of the cushioning material together transversely across the web.
 6. The web of claim 2, wherein the opening of each of the bags is configured to be sealed closed by sealing portions of the cushioning material together transversely across the web.
 7. The web of claim 1, wherein the openings of the bags extend longitudinally along the web.
 8. The web of claim 7, wherein the first and second sheets are formed from a single sheet material and wherein the first and second sheets are separated by a longitudinal fold in the single sheet material.
 9. The web of claim 8, wherein the longitudinal fold forms bottoms of the bags.
 10. The web of claim 8, wherein the cushioning material is a single sheet of cushioning material that extends longitudinally along the web.
 11. The web of claim 10, wherein the cushioning material is narrower transversely across the web than the single sheet material, and wherein longitudinal edges of the single sheet material are connected directly to each other to form a closed longitudinal channel proximate the openings of the bags.
 12. The web of claim 11, wherein the cushioning material is coupled to portions of the inner surfaces of the first and second sheets that are outside of the closed longitudinal channel.
 13. The web of claim 11, wherein the closed longitudinal channel includes a longitudinal line of weakness configured to be broken to permit access to the openings of the bags.
 14. The web of claim 11, further comprising: transverse seams that extend from the longitudinal fold to the closed longitudinal channel, wherein the transverse seams are located between the bags and form sides of the bags.
 15. The web of claim 14, wherein the line of weakness extends through one of the transverse seams.
 16. The web of claim 14, further comprising a set of cuts associated with one of the transverse seams, wherein the one of the transverse seams is located between a first bag and a second bag of the bags in the web, wherein the set of cuts comprises: a transverse cut in the one of the transverse seams extending from the closed longitudinal channel toward the longitudinal fold; a first longitudinal cut extending from the one of the transverse seams into the first bag; and a second longitudinal cut extending from the one of the transverse seams into the second bag.
 17. The web of claim 16, wherein: the first longitudinal cut includes a first plurality of cuts extending from the one of the transverse seams into the first bag; and the second longitudinal cut includes a second plurality of cuts extending from the one of the transverse seams into the second bag.
 18. The web of claim 1, wherein the sheet material includes one or more of a polymer-based material, a fiber-based material, kraft paper, or a starch-based material.
 19. The web of claim 1, wherein the sheet material includes an outer layer configured to have information printed thereon.
 20. The web of claim 1, wherein the cushioning material includes one or more of an air cellular cushioning material, a fiber-based cushioning material, macerated paper cushioning material, or a sheet foam cushioning material. 